Suggestions relating to observing Buddhist customs during medical treatment

Diet
Diets vary according to the climate of the country involved. One can find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Buddhists. The notion of non-harming is basic to Buddha's teaching. Many Buddhists regard this as non-killing for food.

Fasting
Most fasting days occur on New Moon and Full Moon days, but there are also other festival days such as Buddha's birthday, death day, his enlightenment, the first Sermon and others. On such days one is required to eat at regular times, which means that one should eat before 12 noon and not after.

Blood Transfusions and Transplants
It is quite unlikely there will be a problem with blood transfusions. However transplants, can be a more complex issue. As transplantation has only become available recently, opinions on what is best may vary. As the moment of clinical death is not seen as the end of the death process, removal of organs at this time may be considered unwise. This consideration may extend to include organs 'donated' by animals.

A Buddhist can choose whether he/she would prefer to be buried or cremated. Some might also be hesitant to donate their own organs, as this would imply deliberately allowing harm to be caused (to their body). Others might feel the overall benefit outweighed such concerns. Each Buddhist must decide for themselves in a given situation what causes the least harm and promotes the most good. Autopsies are generally considered to interfere with the process of dying and hence they should be avoided.

Ablutions and Toilet
There are no beliefs or practices stipulated in Buddhist scriptures. Buddhists from different parts of the world may follow various social customs in this area.

Attitudes to Medical Staff and Illness
Helping people is fundamental to Buddhist ideas, and so patients will always respect the doctor and nurses for helping them.

Ideas of Modesty
There are no particular points to be noted in this area.

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